Birded southern Mille Lacs & northern Sherburne Counties this week before work, during lunches and after work briefly. Interestingly (despite migration's cessation & a few misses), still had 106 species along the 30 mile stretch of 169 from Milaca to Sherburne Refuge. Highlights included:
* Henslow's Sparrows (two just east of Blue Hill Trail) * Franklin's Gull (CR 2 ponds, absent since Wednesday) * Mourning Warblers (three along Blue Hill, all singing this morning) * Trumpeter Swans (nesting here) * Yellow-billed Cuckoos (surprisingly, two in Mille Lacs County - Kunkel WMA & Pioneer Park) * Lark Sparrows (number of nesters here) * Alder & Willow Flycatchers (Kunkel WMA has been most dependable) * Golden-crowned Kinglets (Blue Hill, evergreen section) * Golden-winged & Blue-winged Warblers (number nesting here) * Dickcissels (everywhere, counted 18 one morning in two locations) * White-rumped Sandpipers (CR 2) "Misses" that have been present the last couple of weeks: * American (little farther north at Kathio State Park) & Least Bitterns * Cooper's Hawk * Caspian Tern * Yellow-throated Vireo (nest here) * Common Raven (not heard at Ann Lake this week, typically present) * Brewer's Blackbird * Orchard Oriole (not consistent, seen on occasion) * Red-shouldered Hawk * "Mystery gull" along Mille Lacs Lake - Glaucous (not expected in summer season), albinistic/leucistic Herring, or...? I will be happy to provide further details or locations - although will be away from this computer after 4:00 today and all day Saturday. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
